Babcock International News

Babcock International Group (Babcock) has agreed a two‑year extension to the Future Maritime Support Programme (FMSP) contract with the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD), ensuring the continued delivery of vital fleet and infrastructure support for the Royal Navy’s surface ships.The agreement maintains the full scope of the existing FMSP contract, covering ship engineering delivery and management for Type 23 frigates, amphibious warfare ships, Sandown minehunters and landing craft vessels.This work continues to be delivered primarily through Babcock’s facilities at Devonport and Rosyth…

Babcock International Group has confirmed the location for its new Capability Centre in Plymouth - a major milestone in plans to relocate up to 2,000 highly skilled employees into the heart of the city.The new Capability Centre will be based at 40-46 Royal Parade.Establishing this new facility, in addition to the Dockyard, will enable Babcock to free up vital space at its Devonport site, supporting the continued focus on delivering critical and complex Ministry of Defence programs in the South West.Harry Holt…

Babcock International Group has achieved two milestones in the delivery of the Royal Navy’s Type 31, Inspiration Class program, as the Steel Cut for HMS Bulldog and the Rollout of HMS Active took place at their Rosyth facility in Scotland.The ceremonial Steel Cut for HMS Bulldog marked the official start of build on the fourth of five Inspiration-class frigates, while the rollout of HMS Active saw the emergence of the second frigate from the purpose-built ship assembly hall, ahead…

A U.K.-led maritime consortium has set out plans to develop international standards for nuclear-powered commercial ships, as Britain seeks a leading role in efforts to decarbonize global shipping.The Maritime Nuclear Consortium, convened by Lloyd’s Register, brings together companies from the nuclear, maritime, insurance and regulatory sectors to address safety, security, regulation and commercial viability for nuclear-powered vessels.The consortium’s core members include Lloyd’s Register…

HII and Babcock International Group announced they have signed a contract that expands their strategic partnership to further support Virginia-class submarine construction throughput at HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division. Additionally, the contract will build resiliency within HII’s submarine supply base.This is the first Virginia-class outsourced contract to Babcock in support of NNS-specific submarine work, authorizing Babcock to build complex submarine assemblies…

HII is partnering with shipyards and fabricators in multiple states to grow its throughput and meet the increased demand for ships by the U.S. Navy. With its customer’s support, HII is bringing the work to more companies and more jobs in more states, expanding capacity of the U.S. shipbuilding industrial base and improving schedule adherence for all ships built by HII.HII’s structural assembly network, consisting of companies that contribute to outsourced modular assembly of ships…

Babcock International Group and HII signed a memorandum of understanding to bring together HII’s REMUS unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) and Babcock’s submarine Weapon Handling and Launch Systems (WHLS). The goal of the collaboration is to deliver autonomous launch and recovery of UUVs via submarine torpedo tubes, strengthening the undersea advantage of allied navies. This is the first program of its kind within the Babcock Mission Systems business.As UUVs become increasingly vital to future undersea operations…

U.K. defense contractor Babcock International has unveiled plans to relocate over 2,000 staff from its Devonport Royal Dockyard to a new center in Plymouth city center, in a move designed to stimulate regional economic growth and social development.The announcement comes as Babcock outlines its increasing influence across society as its impact, beyond the balance sheet from the Defense Dividend, is revealed.To further unlock potential and transform thousands of lives and businesses…

ABS issued approval in principle (AiP) to Pherousa Shipping for its ammonia cracking technology onboard ships, featuring proton exchange membrane fuel cells and fuel gas supply system (FGSS) for fully electric propulsion.The emissions-free propulsion system is targeted for application on Pherousa’s Ultramax 64,000 dwt bulk carrier to transport copper, a key material in solar panels and electric cars, in fully emissions free vessels.“We are seeing rapid innovation and new developments around ammonia as an alternative fuel, whether as a carrier of hydrogen or as a fuel in its own right.

Babcock International Group has been awarded a three-year contract to prepare for the first nuclear defueling of a decommissioned Trafalgar Class submarine in over 20 years. The operations will take place at Babcock’s Devonport facility in Plymouth, marking a significant milestone in the UK’s Submarine Dismantling Project.The £114 million ($155 million) contract from the Ministry of Defence will see Babcock working collaboratively with the Defence Nuclear Enterprise (DNE) and leading industry partners to prepare for the defuel of four decommissioned submarines…

Navantia UK has announced the appointment of Derek Jones as Chief Commercial and Business Development Officer.Jones brings over 30 years of experience in the defense sector to Navantia UK, including leadership roles at Babcock International Group, BAE Systems, and GEC Marconi. Most recently, he served as Managing Director of the Type 31 Frigate Program at Babcock, where he led a USD$2 billion (£1.5 billion) capital asset design and manufacture contract with the UK Ministry of Defence.During his time at Babcock…

Babcock International Group has been awarded a USD$84 million (£65 million), five-ship contract to deliver the Capability Insertion Period (CIP) for the UK Royal Navy’s Type 31 frigates being built by the company at its Rosyth facility in Scotland.The CIP adds crucial capabilities that will support the ships throughout their life and includes the insertion, testing and enhancement of a number of upgrades that will enhance the Type 31’s military capability.The activities will take place at Babcock’s facility in Rosyth…

Norwegian maritime technology company Pherousa has secured approvals in principle (AiPs) from American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and DNV for its ammonia cracking technology onboard ships, featuring PEM Fuel Cells and Fuel Gas Supply System (FGSS) for fully electric propulsion.Pherousa, together with partners, is developing ammonia cracking technology that could make the transition to fossil-free and zero-emission propulsion within the maritime short- to deep-sea transport sectors a reality.Key partners in the work towards the two AiPs include the designers Deltamarin…

Babcock International Group (Babcock), the defence company, is creating more than 100 jobs at its newly-opened Submarine Availability Support Hub (SASH) in Bristol, as the company invests in supporting the development of nuclear skills and defence infrastructure in the South West of England.The facility brings together partners and experts from across the Defense Nuclear Enterprise including: Babcock, the Ministry of Defense, the Submarine Delivery Agency and the UK’s Royal Navy…

Defence company Babcock International Group and the Polish Naval Academy in Gdynia are set to collaborate on a new program of professional internships following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and Cooperation Agreement.This summer, two Naval Academy students will take part in a six-week internship in Gdynia. During this time, they will work alongside Babcock employees to develop their skills and understanding of the marine industry. They will also have the opportunity to visit Babcock’s Rosyth operations and learn more about the international business.Ewa Kittel-Prejs…

Babcock International Group (Babcock) was selected by Saab to support the design for the development of the Swedish Navy’s new Luleå-class Surface Combatant.Saab, commissioned by FMV, the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration, will design four ships for the Swedish Navy.Babcock will initially provide engineering support including structural design and auxiliary systems, supporting Saab to complete the basic design phase.

Defense company Babcock International has delivered Type 23 frigate HMS St. Albans back to the Royal Navy for sea trials three months ahead of the planned schedule, following a refit operation.Once the current sea trials are completed, HMS St. Albans, with her 178-strong crew, will return to sea as the most advanced, equipped, and capable Type 23 frigate in the Royal Navy’s fleet, boasting next-generation weapons systems and radar, according to Babcock.During her time in dock…

Babcock International Group (Babcock) is creating more than 1,000 new jobs at its large-scale, advanced manufacturing and shipbuilding facility in Rosyth.The new job opportunities will include 400 apprenticeships, 350 production support operatives, skilled engineers, tradespeople, and graduates to support programs like the Type 31 frigate design and build."Attracting and retaining talent is essential to the future success of our business and directly benefits the local communities in which we operate," said David Lockwood, Chief Executive, Babcock International Group.

Babcock International Group and the UK’s Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA) have agreed a full cost recovery contract worth an estimated £560 million to undertake the planned deep maintenance and life extension program for HMS Victorious, one of the UK’s Vanguard Class nuclear submarines.The multi-year life extension program will deliver HMS Victorious back to the Royal Navy modernized and improved, enabling it to continue operational patrols well into the 2030s. Work on the submarine is already underway…

The defense company Babcock International has secured a contract for additional work on the South Korean Navy’s submarine program.The seven-year contract, awarded by Hanwha Ocean, is to manufacture and install the weapons handling launch system (WHLS) on Boat 6 of the Jangbogo-III class boat.Boat 6, namely ‘Jangbogo-III Batch-II Boat 3’, along with the rest of the class, will use Babcock’s air turbine pump and programmable firing valve launch system.Key elements of the WHLS will be designed and produced in the UK…

Babcock International Group (Babcock) appointed Paul Armstrong to lead its marine sector, delivering a number of critical UK and international defence programmes, including the UK’s Type 31 frigates for the Royal Navy.With a career that started in shipbuilding in Barrow-in-Furness, Armstrong brings a wealth of wide-ranging industry experience to grow and develop one of Babcock’s core business sectors. Joining Babcock from Draken International, the aviation defence business where he was CEO responsible for operations in the UK…

Babcock International Group continues its successful delivery of the Royal Navy Type 31 frigates with the keel laying of HMS Active, the second of the five-ship Inspiration class program.The two warships are being built simultaneously, with work continuing only meters away on the first of the Inspiration class, HMS Venturer.In keeping with tradition, Babcock asked their youngest apprentice, first-year Electrical Fitter, Robbie Dick, to place the specially designed coin under the keel.Babcock’s Type 31…

Babcock International Group and HII have combined forces in Australia, working together to support critical capability requirements for the AUKUS nuclear submarine program.The partnership builds on the existing agreement between both companies to partner in the UK and US on nuclear decommissioning, disposal and national security opportunities.Babcock and HII will collaborate to develop the optimal models for nuclear-powered submarine capability, including infrastructure, sustainment and the necessary skills development, to support the AUKUS endeavour.